The new nightclub is in Austin, Texas and is called Barbarella. If that name sounds familiar (and I’m not referring to the Jane Fonda movie) it’s because it’s the former name of Independent Bar. The club is one of my favorites for years now and plays a fantastic mix of ’80s, ’90s, goth, industrial and more.

Wow, that last sentence sounded like an ad for 105.9 FM with a bit of a curve ball thrown in the end.

“I wanted to call it Independent Bar,” says Gardner. “But Scott [Graham], Mickey [Gannett] and my wife said it should be Barbarella.”

Barbarella is exactly like Independent Bar down to music, decor and some Orlando staff too. Right now Gannett is serving as general manager for the club over the next month and Graham is DJing at the new club. Gardner said he even saw some Orlando residents come through during the soft opening last weekend.

For those of you familiar with the Austin area, Barbarella takes over the space that was formerly Spiros, next to Emo’s at the corner of 6th Street and Red River Street. Gardner has brought in the old Barbarella signs to the space along with video screens and decor, and has put in a new sound system, lights and some new video screens to. If you’re in the Austin area definitely check it out at 615 Red River Street.

Since I probably won’t make it out to Austin for a while let me know what you think!